By Sarah Bransley
If you’re like me, you tend to study in the same place all the time. It can get pretty monotonous and I know I need to shake things up every once in a while. That’s why I’m going to give you some ideas for great alternative study spots.
First up, check out alternative libraries to Grainger or the UGL. The campus has a lot of them and most are pretty small. If you don’t need to access any literature or text and are just looking to study, these places are a great spot to study. You do need to be aware of the fact that they aren’t all open 24 hours like the larger libraries. Most are open until 5pm, some 9pm. A few of my favorite alternatives include the Chem Library in Noyes, the MCB Library in Burrill, the Communications Library in Gregory Hall, and the ACES Funk Library on the South Quad.
Some other great alternative study spots include coffee shops, restaurants, & bars. Everyone studies in the coffee shops, so there are numerous Espresso Royale locations on and off campus, as well as Café Paradiso in Urbana, Latte Da in some campus buildings, and others in Champaign. If you’re looking to grab a bite to eat while studying you can definitely try out Merry Ann’s, Panera, Mia Za’s, etc. Look for places that have WiFi and tables large enough to spread out some work and don’t go during peak periods (i.e. lunch or dinner rush). Bars are also pretty dead during the day and offer lunch deals which many people forget. A perfect place to study!
Another option are the random study nooks throughout campus. Many people know about the ones found on the basement and first floors of the Union, but many other buildings have them too. Loomis Lab has some benches and tables facing Green Street, the Foreign Language Building has chairs and tables lining the first floor hallway, and Lincoln Hall has an entire outdoor garden hidden in the middle of the building with benches to enjoy the atmosphere. Keep your eyes peeled when walking through buildings as they’re everywhere!
If these ideas don’t pique your interest, then I would definitely encourage you to explore the campus and ask around! Everyone has different study needs so if you’re looking to shake things up, only you know what will fit the bill. The campus is huge so there’s a lot to offer and I’m sure you’ll find what you need.